MEDIATE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mediate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of mediate are intercede , interfere , interpose , and intervene . While all these words mean "to come or go between," mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. // mediated between the parties

Q: When could 'intercede' be used to replace 'mediate'?

The words intercede and mediate can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. // interceded on our behalf

Q: When would 'interfere' be a good substitute for 'mediate'?

The synonyms interfere and mediate are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering. // noise interfered with my concentration

Q: When is it sensible to use 'interpose' instead of 'mediate'?

Although the words interpose and mediate have much in common, interpose often implies no more than this. // interposed herself between him and the door

Q: When can 'intervene' be used instead of 'mediate'?

While the synonyms intervene and mediate are close in meaning, intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict. // quarreled until the manager intervened

mediate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmē-dē-ət

Definition of mediate

as in halfway

occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes has a black-and-white view of human nature, believing that there is no mediate state between good and evil

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mediate

2 of 2

verb

ˈmē-dē-ˌāt

as in to intervene

to act as a go-between for opposing sides their middle child is often asked to mediate between the oldest and the youngest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word mediate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of mediate are intercede, interfere, interpose, and intervene. While all these words mean "to come or go between," mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

When could intercede be used to replace mediate?

The words intercede and mediate can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When would interfere be a good substitute for mediate?

The synonyms interfere and mediate are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is it sensible to use interpose instead of mediate?

Although the words interpose and mediate have much in common, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When can intervene be used instead of mediate?

While the synonyms intervene and mediate are close in meaning, intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict.

quarreled until the manager intervened

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mediate

Adjective

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who had been helping mediate talks, said negotiations were ongoing and making progress. — Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 7 Mar. 2026 His involvement with Habitat for Humanity, and his work around the world to eradicate disease, mediate conflict and monitor elections all give testament to a godly life lived well. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026

Verb

Barrack has mediated direct talks between Syria and Israel in an effort to make sure that an uneasy truce is sustained, especially in southern Syria where Israeli forces continue to occupy strategic heights on Syrian soil. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 For much of that time, I was engaged in outdoor activities—camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing, running, and swimming—or indoor ones that are not digitally-mediated, such as dining out with family or listening to live entertainment. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate

Adjective

The 26-year-old information technology administrator consumed a Red Bull energy drink around the film's halfway mark to stay alert.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 July 2026
The Pirates are 9 1/2 games behind the National League Central Division leading Milwaukee Brewers – but only two games out of a playoff spot at the halfway point in the season.

— Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of halfway

Verb

As a result, the law can’t be uniformly enforced across the country unless the Supreme Court intervenes.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
The Nevada Resorts Association, which represents casinos across the state, also intervened as a party in this case and related cases.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of intervene

Adjective

Students have opportunities at the middle and high school levels to explore, prepare for and experience potential careers in the agriculture and natural resources industry sector.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
In addition to movies, August has written the Arlo Finch middle-grade trilogy and the bestselling Scriptnotes book, based on his long-running podcast with Craig Mazin.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of middle

Adjective

If a signal from car A cannot reach car B directly, or if the path length is too far for an individual beam to travel, the signal must find an intermediary car or stationary sensor nearby that can pass along the message.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026
This can be especially relevant for companies with suppliers, contractors, or subsidiaries in Asia, Europe, and North America, where treasury operations might otherwise be dependent on overlapping banking hours and intermediary approval.

— Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of intermediary

Adjective

The operation is a grafting procedure in which doctors take tendons from another part of the body – the forearm, hamstring, hip or knee – and replace the medial ligament in the elbow with the grafted portion.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medial care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of medial

Adjective

The second system being tracked by the NHC was a weak area of low pressure with disorganized cloudiness and showers located in the northeastern and north-central Gulf.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
That means conversations about how tokenization might affect payments, regulatory and monetary policy, central banking and more.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of central

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“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mediate

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verb

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